The holiday season is here, and most likely, you’re looking forward to spending time with your family, decorating your home, and participating in the festive activities. However, it’s important to be aware of Christmas-related dangers to avoid putting a damper on your holiday season.
In this article, we’d like to make you aware of some of the most common Christmas-related accidents because every year there tends to be an increase in ER visits, slip-and-fall, and auto accidents, according to the National Institute of Health. If you have any questions about your legal rights after suffering a holiday-related injury, please do not hesitate to contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation.
Common Holiday Injuries and Accidents
Christmas is the most wonderful time of year for many reasons, but it can also be considered one of the most dangerous. The holiday season features a large number of people traveling, decoration hazards, and celebrations where a single careless act can put others’ safety in danger. But with some awareness and safety measures, you’ll most likely make it through the Christmas season without a scratch. The following are the most common Christmas-related accidents you should be aware of:
- Slip-and-Falls: decorating your home for Christmas can be a fun activity, but it can present new dangers to your household if general safety is neglected. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, around 18,000 Americans go to the ER for fall injuries caused by Christmas decorations every year. These fall injuries are typically a result of standing on ladders or chairs to reach high places, or leaving too many exposed wires in place where people commonly walk.
- Fire-related injury: the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has recorded an increase in fire incidents around the holidays, especially Christmas. The most common of these occurences are Christmas trees being near candles. These accidents result in major property damage, burns, or permanent disability.
- Electrical Shock Injury: Christmas lights, electrical cooking devices, and other decorative items are found to be the source of most Christmas-related electrical injuries. One way to avoid these injuries is to only use lights and other electrical devices that are in good condition. Also, avoid overloading outlets and extension cords as they can overheat and start an electrical fire.
- Car Accidents: car accidents ten to peak around Christmas time, not just because traffic tends to be higher, but because more people are drinking and partying while they’re out. Also, people tend to be in a hurry as they’re rushing around to finish their shopping or make it to a holiday party.
What Should I Do After a Christmas-Related Injury?
If you’re injured on public or private property around Christmas time, you should seek medical attention immediately. Seeking medical attention is not only important to your health, but it is an essential step to building a strong case if you elect to take legal action. Following medical treatment, it is recommended to:
- Report the injury to management (if applicable). Premises liability accidents require a prompt investigation, especially if they occur on property owned by a corporation or the government.
- Take your own photos of the scene and get witness statements. Hazardous conditions can be removed or remedied very quickly to prevent more accidents, so it is important for you to capture the dangerous environment while it is still there.
- Follow up on your injuries with a doctor. Any injuries you’ve sustained from your accident will become a part of your case, and you will need a doctor to corroborate your injuries.
- Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Attorneys to protect your rights to compensation. Most accident victims find themselves overwhelmed by the incident and fail to realize the enormous impact an injury can have on their lives. Our attorneys can help you understand your legal options and get you the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Injuries While Christmas Shopping
Retailers experience a dramatic increase in holiday shoppers between November and December. Black Friday, holiday deals, and last-minute shopping all combine to crowd retail stores during the holiday season. So, if store owners fail to follow safety protocols, the shoppers in these crowded stores are at a high risk of injury. For example, if a liquid spills on the floor and a store manager is too busy to notice or take the time and clean it up, someone could slip and suffer a head injury or broken bones. These types of injuries are common around the holidays and are known as premises liability. Typical Christmas-related premises liability conditions include:
- Wet or icy surfaces
- Sudden changes in flooring
- Insufficient lighting
- A concealed hole or gap
- Loose electrical wire
Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Associates
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to a Christmas-related accident, the Personal Injury Attorneys at Quirk can help you recover full compensation for your damages. Navigating the legal complexities of injuries caused by premises liability, defective products, or a reckless act can be a nightmare for you and your family this holiday season, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our law firm protects injured victims by negotiating fair settlements and protecting their right to compensation.
If you’re considering taking legal action, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Quirk Accident & Injury Associates today for a free consultation and case evaluation. No upfront money is required for our counsel, and we don’t get paid unless we win your case.